PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School Board will consider approving another fourth-grade teacher at Dry Creek Elementary School when it meets Thursday.
The board will meet at 7 p.m. at Franklin Elementary School, 2505 S. Washington St. The regular session will be preceded by an executive session at 6 p.m.
The new fourth-grade teaching position would be for one year only to assist with high numbers in the grade level at Dry Creek Elementary.
Class sizes would drop from 29 each to about 19 and 20 each, district staff said.
The board also will hear a report on class sizes in elementary schools throughout the district.
The board also will consider a resolution requesting that the state “promptly and fully comply with the Supreme Court’s orders in the McCleary case.”
In the McCleary decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that the state must pay for basic education.
The board also will consider raising substitute teacher pay from $100 a day to $130 a day and approving swimming lessons for all students in the second grade and in special education two times a week for four weeks during school hours.
PA CAN to meet
PORT ANGELES — PA CAN, the Port Angeles Citizen Action Network tackling the community’s illicit drug problems, invites all concerned residents to its meeting tonight.
The group will gather in the Board of Commissioners’ meeting room at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., at 6:30 p.m.
PA CAN’s projects include working with the Port Angeles School District on a drug-awareness program, promoting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula’s after-school activities and supporting Oxford House, a network of houses for recovering addicts.
For information, find the PA CAN/Port Angeles Citizen Action Network page on Facebook or visit www.RevitalizePortAngeles.org.
Goldmark to run
WENATCHEE — Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark has announced he will seek re-election in 2016.
Goldmark, who will seek a third term in office, announced his intention at a meeting of the Washington State Democrats in Wenatchee on Saturday.
A rancher, farmer, scientist and volunteer firefighter from Okanogan County, Goldmark leads the state Department of Natural Resources.
“My goals are healthy forests, clean water, fresh air and vibrant rural communities,” Goldmark said.
“I am running for re-election because we must find sustainable solutions to manage climate change, to confront worsening wildfire and to fix our broken system for funding education.”
Goldmark defeated Republican incumbent Doug Sutherland in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012.
Trees trimmed
PORT ANGELES — Asplundh Tree Expert Company is trimming trees near power lines on city streets during the next several months.
The city hired the contractor to minimize fire hazard, help avoid power outages caused by wind and fallen limbs during winter storms, and keep trees from growing into power lines.
Trees on private property that grow into the overhead service wires running from the pole to the house are the owner’s responsibility, city officials said.
The city will de-energize the service wire free of charge, allowing the customer or the customer’s contractor to safely clear trees or other vegetation away.
To have service wires de-energized, call 360-417-4724.
FFA dinner
SEQUIM — The Sequim High School chapter of Future Farmers of America will host a drive-thru fundraising dinner before the football game in the high school’s main parking lot, 601 N. Sequim Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Friday.
The dinner boxes include pulled pork, corn on the cob and coleslaw for $8.
This event helps fund chapter travel to the national convention.
To preorder one or more boxes, phone Tammy Shroepfer at 360-460-2766.
Drug Court grads
PORT TOWNSEND — Friends of Safe Harbor Recovery Center invite the community to attend the next graduation ceremony for the Jefferson County Drug Court at the Jefferson County Courthouse in the Superior Courtroom, 1820 Jefferson St., at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Safe Harbor Recovery Center is a treatment facility that specializes in substance abuse services.
It provides outpatient options for those who enroll.
This facility also includes special programs focused for people with mental and substance abuse disorders, adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders and criminal justice clients.
During the graduation ceremony, individuals will be recognized for their recovery efforts.
For more information about this program, phone Debora Wirth-Mead at 360-385-3866
Adult learning program in PT starts Friday
PORT TOWNSEND — Visiting scholar John Marzluff will open the Quimper Unitarian Universalist’s Adult Learning Programs (ALPs) fall term with a presentation on neighborhood birding at the fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave., at 7 p.m. Friday.
Marzluff is the James W. Ridgeway Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington.
A prolific researcher of bird behavior and wildlife management and the recipient of the Washington State Book Award, Marzluff is perhaps best known for his book In the Company of Crows and Ravens.
His most recently published work, Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers and Other Wildlife, will be the subject of his presentation, “Welcome to SuBIRDia.”
He will describe the urban ecosystem and explain how and why people can make help it more functional for their avian co-habitators.
There is an informal reception in the Fellowship Hall following the presentation, and books will be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to all.
In the next ALP course, a guided visual journey of an elephant seal colony will be presented at the fellowship from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
Rob Wamstad will give the presentation, which will include a discussion of the life cycles of these animals, as well as unusual characteristics and why they are important to research.
Since the late 1800s, when whalers had reduced their number to possibly fewer than 100 animals at Guadalupe Island off the coast of Mexico, the northern elephant seal has rebounded, slowly building colonies northward.
A recent colony was found on Vancouver Island, and seal visits have been reported in the area of the Salish Sea.
Registration is required via www.tinyurl.com/alps
2015fall.
For more information, email wamstad.pt@gmail.com or phone 415-744-4250.
Dahlia tubers
PORT ANGELES — A seminar, “How to Successfully Dig, Divide and Store Dahlia Tubers,” will be held at Jan’s Country Garden, 344 O’Brien Road, at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The workshop is being conducted under the direction of Jan Jones, co-owner/operator of the garden, and will focus on caring for dahlias during the fall, winter and spring months.
Early registration is suggested by calling 360-452-8287 or registering in advance at the garden.
The cost is $8 to cover handouts and materials.
For more information, visit www.janscountrygarden.com.
Veterinarian earns credit in course
PORT ANGELES — Dr. Carmen Czachor, veterinarian and owner of Family Veterinary Clinic, recently earned continuing education credit on incorporating behavioral medicine and care in daily practice.
In this course, Czachor learned how to modify handling to avoid or treat juvenile onset of behavioral issues, help pets with existing behavioral issues and address senior-onset behavior problems.
Issues include fearful behavior, anxiety, noise phobias, aggression, house-soiling, vocalization, sleep pattern disturbances and changes in interactions between pets and their owners or fellow pets.
An appointment to see Czachor can be made by calling 360-452-9682.
Family Veterinary Clinic is located at 3217 E. Mahogany St.
Member resigns
PORT TOWNSEND — Jeanette Travis, Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization’s longest-serving board member, has announced she is stepping down this month after 18 years of service.
Travis was one of the co-founders of the organization, together with her husband, Bruce Travis, and Shirley Champion, and has helped guide the organization from its inception.
Hank Hazen, the organization’s current board chairman, said, “Jeanette has been the backbone of ECHHO for many years.
“Her work with Jefferson County churches and the community helped provide the core of our volunteers and much financial support. She leaves a big hole in our organization and our hearts.”
ECHHO is a nonprofit organization that works with volunteers and community organizations to provide transportation, chores, social support and medical equipment services to Jefferson County residents to help them continue to live independently.
Over the past 18 years, ECHHO has engaged more than 300 volunteers from the community and now has about 65 active drivers and office volunteers.
This year, ECHHO drivers will make more than 1,000 trips in support of Jefferson County residents in need of help with transportation.
Rising sea levels
PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson Land Trust’s Geology Group will present an illustrated lecture, “Rising Sea Level: Causes, Predictions and Coastal Impact,” at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave., at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
The basic message is that “the sea level is rising and will continue to do so well into the future as global warming proceeds, which leads to a series of basic science questions,” according to a news release:
■ What exactly defines sea level?
■ Sea level isn’t very level. Why not?
■ How has sea level varied in past ages and why?
■ What mechanisms control sea level, on what scales and timespans?
■ What are predictions for sea level rise in the near future?
■ What impact does rising sea level have on coastlines, such as ours?
■ How might coastlines change as sea levels rise?
Paul Loubere’s talk will examine these questions in a nontechnical way to provide perspective on issues created by rising seas in the Pacific Northwest environment.
Loubere holds a doctorate in ocean sciences/marine geology from the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University.
He has more than 30 years’ experience researching global ocean and climate systems.
The presentation is free and open to the public, though donations of $5 are appreciated to defray expenses.
For more information, visit www.quimpergeology.org.
Landscaping course
SEQUIM — The Clallam Conservation District is taking registration for its fall natural landscaping course with three evening classes in Sequim and three Saturday morning field trips.
Evening classes are at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 8, 15 and 22
Field trips take place Saturday mornings, Oct. 10, 17 and 24.
Utilizing permaculture design principles, course participants receive step-by-step instructions on how to analyze their properties and develop landscape designs suited to each site’s ecological conditions.
The course focuses on water conservation, wildlife habitat enhancement, stormwater management and low maintenance.
The registration deadline is Oct. 5.
A $25 registration fee covers the cost of a binder of course materials, the WSU publication “Grow Your Own Native Landscape” and facilities rental.
Clallam Conservation District Executive Director Joe Holtrop is the course instructor.
Holtrop has undergraduate and graduate degrees in landscape architecture and has been teaching classes on natural landscaping since 1990.
To register, phone the district at 360-775-3747, ext. 5.
Gala tickets
SEQUIM — Tickets for the Shipley Center’s fourth annual gala dinner and auction are on sale.
Presented by Sequim Health and Rehabilitation, the event will be held at SunLand Golf & Country Club, 109 Hilltop Drive, on Saturday, Oct. 10, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
John Curley will be the auctioneer for the live auction.
There also will be raffles, games and a silent auction.
Tickets at $60 can be purchased at the Shipley Center, located at 921 E. Hammond St., or by phoning 360-683-6806.
Paint the Peninsula cites winners
PORT ANGELES — The winners of the Paint the Peninsula 2015 Plein Air Competition and Festival are as follows:
Olympic National Park
■ Superintendent’s Award: Gretha Lindwood for a painting done on Hurricane Ridge.
■ Olympic Interpretation Ranger’s Award: Jan Jewell for her painting of the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam site.
Dungeness
■ New Dungeness Light Station Award: Robin Weiss for “Driftwood Giants.”
■ Dungeness Spit Wildlife Refuge Manager’s Award: Steven Hill for “Morning Event.”
■ Dungeness Park Manager’s Award: Jim Lamb for “Dungeness Highlands.”
D.A. Davidson Professional Plein Air Awards
■ Honorable Mention: Susan Ogilvie for “Salt Creek Morning.”
■ Honorable Mention: Hill for “Sol Duc Morning.”
■ Honorable Mention: Jim McFarland for “Hurricane Ridge.”
■ Special Sponsor Award: Lamb for “Beach at Marlyn Nelson.”
■ Special Sponsor Award: Clement Kwan for “Tongue Point at Crescent Beach.”
■ Special Sponsor Award: Melanie Thompson for “Shifting Waters.”
■ Artists’ Choice Award: Weiss for his body of work.
■ Third-Place Award: Eric Jacobsen for “Banks of the Sol Duc.”
■ Second-Place Award: Ned Mueller for “Nash’s Gas.”
■ First-Place Award: Jason Situ for “Afternoon Reflection.”
■ Best of Show Award: Weiss for “Airstream and Tractors.”
